Talk politics.

An important part of advancing is being able to get hands on experience. A young beautician could cut hair at home, but a young engineer, technician or industrial designer might have more trouble getting access to the tools, software and experience needed to get his or her career off the ground in the absence of any support or interest on the part of industry. "No work, no experience ... no experience, no work" is a real problem, and that is doubly true for older workers trying to break into a new career.